PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODIES TO ARENAVIRUSES IN RODENTS FROM THE SOUTHERNAND WESTERN UNITED-STATES - EVIDENCE FOR AN ARENAVIRUS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GENUS NEOTOMA

The objectives of this study were to extend our knowledge of the geogr aphic distribution and rodent host range of arenaviruses in North Amer ica. Sera from wild rodents collected from the southern and western Un ited States were tested fur antibody against Tamiami, Pichinde, Junin, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis viruses, using an indirect fluoresce nt antibody test. Antibody to at least one arenavirus was found in 220 (3.1%) of 7,106 rodents tested. The antibody-positive animals include d Mus musculus from Florida and Texas; Neotoma albigula from Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico; N. fuscipes and N. lepida from California: N . mexicana from Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah; N. stephensi from Arizo na and New Mexico; and Oryzomys palustris and Sigmodon hispidus from F lorida. Sigmodon hispidus seropositive for Tamiami virus were found on ly in Florida (156 [27.0%] of 578 tested), although 463 hispid cotton rats from outside that state were examined. High-titered antibodies to Tamiami virus were present in sera from S. hispidus, (geometric mean antibody titer [GMAT] of 1:792), whereas sera from Neotoma spp, reacte d at high titer to both Tamiami (GMAT = 1:905) and Pichinde (GMAT = 1: 433) viruses. The results suggest that arenaviruses are widely distrib uted in the southern United States and that one or more indigenous are naviruses are associated with Neotoma spp. in North America.